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Business Update with Terry Gilbert – 21st November 2010

“Keep Up”!!

It’s all changing so fast – legislation, VAT, fuel costs, gas and electric, petrol. We must watch the trends and react to keep control. November/December predicted to be quite healthy, but brace yourself for January and February. Get prepared now and consider every type of promotional activity – sales, special offers etc. The pro-active business will cope with it, if the business is in a rut it will continue to spiral downwards.

The big indicators ie Bank of England, interest changes, inflation are exceeding all predictions, so the things out of your control will be improving to help. It is now down to you to grab the nettle and make the most of it. So I think I can wish you all a happy Christmas and I would love to add – a Prosperous New Year.

And finally:
We all have a moan about Christmas
And everything going so bad
But when Terry got this letter from Santa
It made him feel ever so sad.
I’m sending this note to advise you
That taxes have taken away
The things I found most essential
My reindeer, my workshop, my sleigh.
Now I’m making my rounds on a donkey
He’s old, crippled and slow
So if you don’t see me at Christmas
I’m out on my ass in the snow!

Business Update with Terry Gilbert – November 2010

There is the good news and the bad news! Things are changing so fast, October brought the awaited changes to the national minimum wage – £5.93 for 22 + years; £4.94 for 18-22 years and £3.64 for under 18s.

The Government investigated 901 organisations which were set up to oversee individual operations and projects – low and behold – 192 are now on the quango bonfire, 118 have merged and 171 reformed.

Recession information has some very good results. Thousands have asked for debt advice. If you need help go to http://bit.ly/bBhIKi

Government promises 75,000 apprenticeship places at a cost of £250 million per year to rebuild skills shortages.

Lord Young to take office of Enterprise Advisor to the Prime Minister – let’s hope he continues to reduce red tape.

The best news is that the economy has exceeded everyone’s expectations and just look at the FTSE figures.

And the question of the month – What do you call a politician who has lost an election? Answer – a Consultant!

And finally: Congratulations to Kerry and Michelle Michael in pulling off one of the largest ventures in the South West, which will enhance business in the area and bring visitors in from all over the world – long may the Grand Pier prosper!

The Grand Pier rises once again!

home abstract 300x180 The Grand Pier rises once again!In July 2008 many residents of Weston super Mare awoke to the news that the Grand Pier had caught fire. A quick look at the news confirmed the worst, a fire had taken hold and completely gutted the pavilion building. Many people thought it spelled the end of Weston’s tourist trade but over 2 years on and a £51millon rebuild sees the Grand Pier live up to its name as Kerry and Michelle Michaels opened the pier once again.

Crowds queued overnight to be one of the first on what is being dubbed the South-West’s largest indoor theme park, braving the wind and rain in the process. This author has decided not to brave the crowds this morning although being the last paying member of the public to have been on the pier the night before the fire it would almost be fitting if I had been the first on the new pavilion!

Were you queued overnight to be one of the first on the pier? We would love to hear your experience of Weston’s newest tourist attraction.

Grand Opening for the Grand Pier

After a long wait, the residents of Weston super Mare will finally get a first look at the £51 million development at the Grand Pier which has been plagued by problems which has seen the opening day now confirmed for the 23rd October after it was originally expected to be opened in June in time for the summer season.

For more information on the Grand Opening visit www.grandpier.co.uk

Business Update with Terry Gilbert

Fireworks on the sea front signal the start of the main holiday season. Hotels fully booked, restaurants buzzing, lots of visitors to our shores.

All the major indicators are showing slow improvements, but that is fine. We know this is going to take a long time, steady growth without a winter dip would be preferred. Hope you got your business rates and tax credits sorted before 1 August – the door is now closed.

Lots of training available via our office on Oldmixon Crescent – Advertising & Promotion, bookkeeping, business start up courses to name but a few.

North Somerset Business Club – one of the most cost effective networking groups in the region. Get your tickets for the Charity Ball on 2 October – being held on the new Grand Pier. Come and look around and support local business and local charities.

Remember to visit the money saver before any big purchase – I would be surprised if Martin Lewis cannot save you money on most of your shopping, including holidays and flights.

Look for new opportunities at all times, but never forget your regular customers – look after them first.

Quote of the week:

“Be careful of reading health books – you may die of a misprint”

Business Update with Terry Gilbert

Last chance to claim. Tax Credits, which ever section might affect you, is raising the drawbridge on 31 July so get your claims in. Self-employed low earners may well be eligible for Working Tax Credits.

Well, it seems like yesterday that a hose pipe ban was imminent and we now have green grass and lots of water – could business be affected as quickly? It is fair to say that we are involved in major changes to our finances and revisiting our original budgets id s vital part of planning our way out of recession.

How’s this for a cheery statistic! In 1999 in the USA a total number of 28,874 people were killed by guns. In Britain the figure was 207. So sales may be down, rain maybe forecast but you are not likely to be shot for a day or two!!

You could of course order the new Bugatti Veyron super sport, crowned the world’s fastest production car with a top speed of 268 mph – how silly!!!

I hope all you retailers, cafes and hoteliers etc are displaying your “Heroes Welcome” stickers. If you do not have stickers then contact Weston-super-Mare Town Mayor. I would love us to be the ‘heroes’ friendliest town’ and be noted for it.

Quote of the day:

“I try to treat my team equally by treating them all differently”
​William Montgomery – on BBC

Bond babe supports brew up!

image001 300x144 Bond babe supports brew up!On Friday the 24th of September Macmillan Cancer Support holds The Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning and former ‘Bond’ actress, Caroline Munro is lending her support.

Caroline who was in Weston super Mare in May at the Winter Gardens, has a close ‘bond’ with Macmillan and enjoys getting involved. The Spy Who Loved me star who famously winked at 007 just before meeting her watery end, is showing her support as a way of saying thanks to Macmillan for helping her in the past. Caroline said:

My mother sadly lost her fight with cancer but thankfully Macmillan were with us every step of the way, of what was a very difficult time. Their support not just through nursing, but with information and advice really helped the family on the journeyThey do such a great job and all the services provided make such a difference. Basically they are there when you need them. To attend or host a coffee morning will make all the difference. Please, please register though I suggest you take your chosen brew stirred and not shaken!

Macmillan’s Fundraising Manager, Ian Dore, said:

Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning is a key date in the  Macmillan calendar and to have the support of Caroline is a delightful bonus. Its something she is passionate about and it’s yet another example of how Macmillan helps thousands of people every year. Of course we can only do that through the kind people hosting and attending such events as The Worlds Biggest Coffee Mornings. To that end, nobody does it better. ”

image003 Bond babe supports brew up!Caroline played ‘Naomi’ opposite Roger Moore in the 1977 bond smash, The Spy Who Loved Me. The film grossed $185.4 million worldwide  and was nominated for 3 Oscars and is often regarded by bond fans as their favourite 007 outing. This is further reflected by Moore himself stating that out of the 7 that he had shot, The Spy Who Loved Me was his favourite.

To register to host your own coffee morning supporting Macmillan Cancer Support on Friday September the 24th, just visitwww.macmillan.org.uk/coffee

Business Update with Terry Gilbert – June 2010

Well, first budget done and dusted and not as hard as some expected. The big guns like the FSB think that it is to be expected, knowing we have to balance the books and get out of debt. If it makes you feel any better, VAT in Denmark and Sweden is 25% and our 20% which comes into force on 4 January 2011, puts us in line with most European countries, but talks have started to re-consider.

Population is predicted to hit 65 million by 2020, that should keep someone busy (in retail I mean)!

Weston’s Water Park is almost ready, the Pier will be open soon, most of the sea defences are complete – bring on the grockells – let’s make hay etc!!

The need for a town train increases to help with parking and mobility around the town centre. This could be your project – talk to me for details.

Just a scan of the new “What’s On” in North Somerset shows there are a lot of people striving to put on interesting and varied events across the county. As for the clever programmes coming from Tyntesfield House – I applaud their ingenuity, we could all take a leaf from their book.

And finally ….

“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

​Oscar Wilde

Business Update with Terry Gilbert

All change – will the new broom’s sweep clean. We will all have to wait and see! I will pass on changes that could affect small to medium businesses as and when they reach my desk.

To put my positive spin on things, we must treat this as an opportunity, but that will entail reacting to change very quickly to get the best for our individual businesses.
I am very impressed that one of the first objectives is to cut through some red tape – “bring it on”!!!

The world markets are on radar but just observing and the numbers will tumble and rise in line with policy changes.

RBS announced a further 2,600 job cuts bringing the total to 22,600 – were they over staffed???!!!
22 June is the first budget (hold tight).

Two thirds of businesses not ready for carbon reduction. MORSE report that 72% of respondents are unaware of how to reduce their emissions.

It has now been definitely confirmed that John Penrose MP has taken the post of Minister for Tourism which, as a seaside town, is great for us!

Quote of the Week:
“Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it” – Dennis Kimbro

Business Update with Terry Gilbert – May 2010

The sun is out and we thrive on good weather – more traffic, busier – says everything is generally a degree or so upbeat.

Dates are whispered for the opening of the Grand Pier, the promenade and water park. Weston 200 is progressing well, with a busy programme from the Royal Hotel – firework displays and the Red Arrows booked for August.

Not sure about the country’s economy until we get over the election and they all decide what is happening.

New legislation is in place, not that we need it! Sick notes are out and well notes are in; paternity pay or at least time off, is increasing if booked in the correct manner – visit www.businesslink.gov.uk to get the full story.

Interesting but scary – from 1997 Council staff earning over £30,000 a year went from 3,300 to 38,000, but small businesses have had to take a cut in margins and of course, some lost everything. You could own an airline of course – not much sleep there! But Apple shares hit an all time high with a 90% increase in quarter 2 profits.

Quote of the week:

“Always tell the truth, that way you don’t have to remember what you said”.